Executive Director of Public Safety

City of Tuscaloosa, AL•Tuscaloosa, AL

50d

About The Position

The purpose of this classification is to provide visionary, executive-level leadership and strategic coordination of all public safety operations within the City of Tuscaloosa. This position is responsible for overseeing and aligning the efforts of the Police Department, Fire Rescue Department, Emergency Management, Municipal Security Operations, and Event Security Planning. Reporting directly to the Mayor, the Executive Director of Public Safety ensures that these departments function cohesively and in accordance with citywide priorities related to safety, resilience, and community wellbeing. The role serves as the central advisor on public safety issues and drives citywide policy development and implementation to address emerging challenges and systemic risks through proactive, data-informed, and community-engaged strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or a related field required
Must be able to meet all Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training (A.P.O.S.T.) minimum requirements and be certified as a law enforcement officer and/or must be certified as a Firefighter including Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) certification.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible public safety or emergency management experience required, including five (5) years in a senior command, executive leadership, or interdepartmental management capacity.
Must possess and maintain a valid Alabama driver's license.
Must be able to operate a variety of automated office and public safety-related equipment including vehicles, computers, communication devices, emergency response tools, and related technology.
Requires the ability to compare, analyze, and evaluate large volumes of operational, technical, and demographic data. Must be able to make strategic inferences from complex information sources.
Requires the ability to communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders, mediate conflict, lead cross-functional teams, and coordinate response efforts.
Requires the ability to read, interpret, and draft complex public safety documentation including policies, legislation, intergovernmental agreements, emergency plans, and strategic reports.
Requires the ability to apply sound judgment, prioritize high-stakes decisions, and navigate politically sensitive situations involving public safety personnel, elected officials, and the community.
Requires excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide public briefings, represent the city at events, and communicate policy to diverse audiences.
Requires the ability to conduct and oversee financial planning, statistical analysis, program evaluation, and grant monitoring.
Requires the ability to interpret maps, site plans, architectural drawings, and emergency layouts.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using a variety of equipment and software tools.
Requires proficiency in using specialized communications and safety equipment.
Requires the ability to manage personnel effectively, maintain composure during emergencies, and lead with confidence under stressful conditions.
Requires the ability to verbally express or exchange information, respond to inquiries, and perceive audio signals in complex settings.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree strongly preferred.
Advanced certifications in Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and FEMA or IAEM professional designations are highly desirable.
Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale operations, managing cross-sector initiatives, and advancing data-informed public safety policies.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Mayor's principal advisor on all matters concerning public safety, event security operations, and community risk mitigation.
Deploy public safety assets as needed to maximize resources for events, disaster preparedness, and post disaster response.
Serves as liaison to Mayor, City Council, and other dignitaries to ensure proper security protocols are in place.
Provides high-level executive leadership, oversight, and strategic vision to the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Emergency Operations Manager, and associated department heads.
Leads short- and long-term planning efforts across all safety-related departments, ensuring alignment with the city's comprehensive strategic plan and performance expectations.
Directs interagency coordination during crisis events; oversees emergency communications, resource deployment, and the activation and operations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Maintains and regularly updates the city's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and leads annual review of disaster response readiness.
Promotes innovative programming in community resilience, emergency preparedness, and public education to improve citizen engagement and readiness.
Integrates public safety functions with homelessness response, behavioral health services, and alternative response models to address non-criminal crises.
Supervises departmental budget planning, monitors financial performance, and ensures cost-effective resource utilization across public safety divisions.
Administers personnel functions including workforce planning, hiring, professional development, employee evaluations, succession planning, and disciplinary processes.
Develops performance metrics, benchmarks, and data analysis systems to monitor public safety outcomes, operational efficiency, and public satisfaction.
Promotes and facilitates robust public engagement, transparency initiatives, and the regular publication of safety reports and strategic updates.
Represents the City in regional, state, and national forums focused on law enforcement, fire services, homeland security, disaster management, and urban resilience.
Identifies grant opportunities and leads external funding efforts to support innovative public safety projects and technology integration.
Champions continuous quality improvement across all public safety departments through training programs, technology upgrades, and organizational change management.